What We Keep
“What is an archive? It’s a memory trail, like those old Victorian photos – is that a ghost? But here, it’s a ghost of your work, a ghost of yourself… When I was looking at it today, rising around me were the walls and people I was surrounded by when I wrote it. It’s a haunted river, a long river.” ~ Sebastian Barry
Aside from doing a bit of book shopping this weekend we also went to the Harry Ransom Center to see The Mystique of the Archive exhibit. The exhibit focused on what makes an archive and showcased anything from bits of notes and photos to full manuscripts and first edition books of literary luminaries such as Umberto Eco, Julian Barnes, Samuel Beckett, and many others.
To me archives definitely have an aura of mystery about them. What might you find in those scribbled notes or what ephemera did someone hang onto and why? Was it actually important or just something that never got thrown out?
I’m fascinated by this probably because I tend to be a bit of a packrat and wonder about my stuff and what will happen to it. Will anyone care about it or centuries down will some of my photos be found in a box at a flea market? I know I love to look through old photographs. I’ve even bought some just because I’d like to give those lost relatives a home (or maybe use them for one of my collage projects).
Anyway, some of the exhibit highlights for me were:
- A corrected manuscript from Sebastian Barry and a watercolor drawing that he had on his desk. Don’t know if he drew that or where it came from.
- An framed organizational chart for Harlot’s Ghost by Norman Mailer. Very interesting to see the connections of his characters.
- An uncorrected advanced page proof of J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye.
- A folder with the first draft of The Magus by John Fowles. Interestingly enough, the original title was The Magos. I wonder why that was changed? I loved that book. Maybe I should pull out my copy and see if there’s any mention of that in my edition.
A fascinating exhibit. It goes on for a while longer so I may have to go back for more. If you want to read more about the books featured in the exhibit or books that feature archivists check out The Mystique of the Archive Reading List.
Literary Feline http://www.literaryfeline.com
October 28th, 2008 at 6:20 amOh wow, Iliana! This does sound like an awesome exhibit! How I would love to explore it myself!
aka nik http://keepthisonthedl.blogspot.com
October 28th, 2008 at 8:32 amWow that sounds really cool. Let us know more if you go back.
jenclair http://bookgarden.blogspot.com/
October 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pmThis does sound like a fascinating exhibit! I love this kind of thing anyway, but connected to authors makes it even more interesting.
Heather T. http://www.thelibraryladder.blogspot.com
October 28th, 2008 at 4:41 pmSounds really interesting! I second aka nik.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com
October 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pmI would love to check out this exhibit. I love to see what people hold onto, especially writers. Is this a traveling exhibit? I have a ton of writing from when I was a kid…most of it crap…but I keep it around.
Bookgirl http://www.bookgirl.net
October 28th, 2008 at 7:55 pmLiterary Feline – It was really neat. I’m always curious about all the oddball items that people hang on to you know.
aka Nik – The only bad part of the exhibit was that they didn’t allow any photos. Not even without flash. I probably will go back as it runs through January and I think there will be some events coming up too!
jenclair – Exactly – you feel like you get to know the person just a bit more don’t you.
Heather T. – It was!
Serena – Unfortunately I don’t think it’s a traveling exhibit but especially as you are a writer I could see how this would even make more of an impact. Maybe you need to plan a little trip
Tara http://booksandcooks.blogspot.com/
October 28th, 2008 at 8:08 pmThis sounds like a fascinating exhibit! I wonder if it will be traveling.
Matt http://mattviews.wordpress.com
October 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pmSpeaking of mystique of archive, of what should be kept, my friend found a copy of the first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird with illustrations at the Goodwill Store for $1.49!
At the Alameda monthly flea market I found a tin can (probably 3-gallon) that belonged to my grandparents’ tea shop in Hong Kong back in the 1950s. I haven’t even seen the teashop myself!
Nymeth http://thingsmeanalot.blogspot.com/
October 28th, 2008 at 11:46 pm“I’m fascinated by this probably because I tend to be a bit of a packrat and wonder about my stuff and what will happen to it. ”
Same here. The exhibit sounds completely fascinating! And thanks for reminding me that I need to get my hands on a copy of The Magus. I loved Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman, but that’s all I’ve read by him.
Lexi http://amazingadulthoodofalexis.blogspot.com
October 29th, 2008 at 12:38 amI got the journal you sent, yesterday. THANK YOU! It is just gorgeous.
Bookgirl http://www.bookgirl.net
October 29th, 2008 at 5:12 amTara – I just looked on the site and I couldn’t find anything about it. If I do get a chance to go back maybe I’ll ask and post about that!
I’ve only read that one book by John Fowles but I remember when I read it I was really moved by it. It just felt so different from anything else I’d read at the time. I really should look for another of his books too!
Matt – No way! Wow, what a score for your friend and what a neat find for you. Did you tell your family about your find? So is the tea shop still in the family? Ok, did you write about this before because I can’t remember at all but if you haven’t then I think you should. Would love to know more about that
Nymeth – I try to get over my packrat tendencies but it’s hard
Lexi – Yay, so glad you got it and am so happy you liked it. Thank you for letting me know
Dorothy W. http://ofbooksandbikes.wordpress.com
October 29th, 2008 at 3:14 pmOh, that exhibit sounds great! I love getting a glimpse of writers’ manuscripts and letters and notes — it gives you a little insight into how they worked and thought. Fascinating!
Isabel http://booksandotherstuff.blogspot.com
October 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmVery cool. Too bad I don’t have enough vacation days to take a quick trip to Austin. Or maybe I do???
tanabata http://tanabata.blogspot.com
October 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pmThis exhibit sounds so interesting! I’m a bit of a packrat myself, despite my best intentions to be more Zen!
Bookfool, aka Nancy http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/
October 30th, 2008 at 3:55 amOh, wow, that sounds absolutely amazing! I’m a packrat, too. I wish I was not.
Bookgirl http://www.bookgirl.net
October 30th, 2008 at 4:15 amDorothy W. – Exactly, you feel like you know them just a little bit better!
Isabel – Save your pennies girl and come over
tanabata – ha,ha… I tell myself that I don’t need “stuff” but it’s just so hard to let go of some things you know.
Bookfool, aka Nancy – When we were moving this summer I really realized how much stuff we had. It doesn’t help that my husband is also a packrat! haha…